What is the primary method used in surveillance practice for bubonic plague?

The primary method used in surveillance practice for bubonic plague is sampling rodents. This approach is crucial because rodents, particularly rats and mice, are often the primary hosts for the fleas that transmit the plague-causing bacterium, Yersinia pestis. By monitoring rodent populations, public health officials can identify potential outbreaks by observing changes in rodent behavior, population dynamics, and flea infestations.

Sampling rodents involves capturing them in designated areas, testing them for the presence of the plague bacterium, and assessing their health status. This allows for early detection of the disease in wildlife populations, which is essential for preventing human cases of bubonic plague. Effective surveillance of rodent populations can lead to timely public health interventions, limiting the spread of the disease to humans.

Other methods mentioned, such as public vaccinations, community surveys, and health education campaigns, while important in broader public health measures, are not the primary methods used specifically for surveillance of bubonic plague. Each method serves a different purpose in the public health framework but does not directly monitor the disease as effectively as rodent sampling does.